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Monday, September 27, 2010

One month before the end of the 2010 World Expo Shanghai, the Indonesia Pavilion has emerged as a visitor favorite.

Competing with 192 other countries, Indonesia’s pavilion reflects the nation’s potential in a unique narrative.

“We have to acknowledge that the Indonesia Pavilion has provided great benefits, because it has effectively voiced the positive aspects of our people,” Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa told journalists at his office in Jakarta on Monday.

By visiting the pavilion, visitors acquired a clearer picture on how the Indonesian economy was strengthening and how its people preserved the country’s unity in diversity through hard work, he said,

The government initially set a target of 3 million visitors for the six-month event, but the pavilion attracted 1 million visitors in the first month alone. A revised target of 5 million visitors was exceeded on Aug. 17, just in time to commemorate Indonesia’s 65th Independence Day.

Three weeks later, the 6-millionth visitor was greeted on Sept. 11, just in time for Idul Fitri festivities.

According to the Trade Ministry, visitors at the pavilion comprised almost 12 percent of the total visitors to the 2010 World Expo, which began on May 1.

“It’s very high,” Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu told journalists.

The number of visitors exceeded the initial target of 3 million, and even the revised target of 5 million set by the Coordinating Economic Minister, Mari said.

The Indonesia Pavilion received positive comments from visitors who liked its unique bamboo interior, delicious food and the hospitality of its hosts, she added.

Visitors are also given Pongo and Koko pins, representing the orangutan and komodo, making the pins collectible items pursued by visitors and attendants from other pavilions, Mari said.

Another Indonesia icon was nasi goreng (fried rice), with more than 67,000 portions served to customers so far.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono are expected to visit the pavilion in October. The expo closes on Oct. 31.